Denis Gurianov’s overtime winner on Monday was so clean, so perfect, you could swear he’s done it a hundred times.
Well, he has actually — the Dallas Stars winger has spent a lot of time working on his one-timer, and it all paid off on the biggest stage of his young NHL career:
“Every practice, he’s taking so many one-timers,” Stars center Tyler Seguin said. “He’s out there early, he stays on late. There’s been no conversations with him being a rookie, saying ‘Hey you’ve got to do this. You’ve got to do that.’ He’s pretty great at just being humble and doing those things automatically.”
Despite being a rookie, Gurianov is currently tied with Joe Pavelski for the team lead in goals scored. But the young Russian is less concerned about stats and more about the bigger picture:
“I just come in the locker room before the game and just try to play my game,” Gurianov said when asked what his focus is. “I don’t think about anything like how many goals I scored or how many assists I got or how many games I’ve played. Every game is a new experience for me, and I just try to play my game, do my best and help my team to win.”
You can read more from Mike Heika here.
Stars Stories
Sean Shapiro takes a retrospective of Gurianov’s path to playoff glory since he was drafted four years ago:
How Denis Gurianov found himself and took the Stars to the Stanley Cup Final https://t.co/GEqooomHSv
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) September 15, 2020
As if it wasn’t a forgone conclusion, Jim Nill has made it clear that the full time head coaching gig belongs to Rick Bowness if he wants it:
“He definitely has earned the right to come back as the coach.”@DallasStars general manager Jim Nill says interim head coach Rick Bowness has earned the right to come back behind the bench, but says the decision will come after the #StanleyCup final.https://t.co/1rvaUvBfqL
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 15, 2020
Miro Heiskanen has been getting lots of attention this postseason, but don’t forget about John Klingberg:
From fifth-round pick to the Stanley Cup Final, @OvertimeScottB explores the evolution of John Klingberg, the @DallasStars‘ ‘somewhat underrated’ star ⤵️ https://t.co/W7qKykRtgt
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) September 15, 2020
I for one hate the puck-over-the-glass rule, but I’m sharing a defense of it since it benefited Dallas:
The #NHL‘s puck-over-the-glass rule is working perfectly, even if you hate it. @THNKenCampbell files: https://t.co/w1FdzDXt6Y
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) September 15, 2020
On a serious note, here’s what professional chirp scribe Thomas Drance had to say about a controversial soundbite from Game 5:
It’s important to me that we get this right.
As a matter of conscience, here’s my full account of the “mutt” comment overheard in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final. Sharing it so that hockey fans can make up their own mind with full access to the facts as I understand them. pic.twitter.com/BiHEShpafi
— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) September 15, 2020
Around the League
The Stars are going to get some extra rest, thanks to the New York Islanders forcing a Game 6 against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a 2-1 double overtime win:
Doing it Trotzy style: #Isles stay alive with Game 5 double-OT win on Lee-to-Eberle beauty. https://t.co/JHgO9apiRO
— Dominik & LHHFriends (@LHHockey) September 16, 2020
Jonas Brodin has signed a seven year contract extension with the Minnesota Wild worth $7M annually and a full NMC for the first four years:
BRODS! 🙌
The #mnwild has signed defenseman Jonas Brodin to a seven-year contract extension.
🗞 » https://t.co/8jhQvHuHRT pic.twitter.com/LRy9sTsVbh
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) September 15, 2020
Which position should Dallas target in the NHL Entry Draft? Corey Pronman offers his thoughts for all 31 teams:
Organizational depth charts may not be the most important variable at draft time, but it’s one worth considering.@coreypronman analyzes all 31 teams’ depth charts to identify their most glaring organizational need heading into the 2020 NHL Draft ⤵️https://t.co/ud0i6kHVq4
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) September 15, 2020
The Washington Capitals have named Peter Laviolette as their new head coach. Is another Stanley Cup in their future?
Can the Capitals win another Stanley Cup with Peter Laviolette at the helm? @THNRyanKennedy looks at the fit https://t.co/aOT3AEAljK
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) September 16, 2020
Finally…
Let’s just all take another moment to reflect on what a crazy, amazing ride this postseason has been:
.@TimCowlishaw column: The Stars are Comeback Kids, the Over-the-Hill Gang, and this Stanley Cup Final run is unlike any thrill ride in club history.https://t.co/OYlWr19feC
— SportsDayDFW (@SportsDayDFW) September 15, 2020